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Old Mar 31, 2014 | 07:06 AM
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02 sensor question

Just had my cel on again for bank 1 sensor 1 o2 sensor, my car throws this about every 2 or 3 months i just delete tho code and it doesnt come back so i assumed i didnt need one, last time was in November, and just came back today. I know how to replace and i know how much for the sensor but is it worth doing ? can it cause harm to the car if i dont change it like can it wait i have other problems to adress first
Old Mar 31, 2014 | 09:10 AM
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You can wait a while before changing the sensor since the CEL can be reset. I am guessing that the sensor operation is marginal.

The sensor 1 is fairly important to the car. It is used to determine how much fuel is injected into the cylinders. A bad sensor 1 can kill your gas mileage because it will cause the engine to run rich.

Even though you can reset the CEL, you may be getting slightly lower gas mileage as the sensor slowly goes bad. Keep your eye on that.
Old Mar 31, 2014 | 09:55 AM
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Originally Posted by DennisMik
You can wait a while before changing the sensor since the CEL can be reset. I am guessing that the sensor operation is marginal.

The sensor 1 is fairly important to the car. It is used to determine how much fuel is injected into the cylinders. A bad sensor 1 can kill your gas mileage because it will cause the engine to run rich.

Even though you can reset the CEL, you may be getting slightly lower gas mileage as the sensor slowly goes bad. Keep your eye on that.
Im okay with the bad gas mileage as i have to deal with it till i have the time to change out the sensor anyways.. can not changing the sensor cause any harm to anything else on the car though?
Old Mar 31, 2014 | 11:17 AM
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The rich gas mixture will go somewhere. That somewhere is the cat. The cat would overheat and perhaps fail.


The rich mixture means lower mileage. You are burning money. Fix the problem. You are paying more for gas than you need to. The fix would pay for its self in reduced gas cost.
Old Apr 2, 2014 | 01:04 PM
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you will save money on gas by replacing the front o2 sensors, more than enough to offset the cost of a new one. eBay has some good prices plug and play, i'd skip the universal type. Try Prime Choice Auto parts in USA or Canada. Once you reset the ecu, it may take a while for the cycle to show it out again, but dont wait. Not worth the delay.
Old Apr 2, 2014 | 09:39 PM
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Had the same code on and off kept clearing it for a year p0134 right? Well no matter how many times I clear it now it comes right back. Just had a sensor ordered yesterday and putting it in tonight. I have cat delete so I doubt have to worry about that but it does run rich. Real rich to the point where you can smell it. Also I lost about 90 miles per tank since its been permanently on. Get it replaced because its failing and its only a matter of time before it completly fails like mine. And the loss of gas milege your throwing money away anyway its 60 bucks to replace so id do it.
Old Apr 3, 2014 | 05:31 AM
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if you are smelling gas, that is real bad. You might want to see if your fuel filter is cracked or leaking. Sometimes the hose can tear or the plastic top type filters can break.
Old Apr 3, 2014 | 05:37 AM
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What's the code it's throwing? Not all o2 codes point to the sensor itself, some point to engine operational issues. ie: system to lean, system to rich.
Old Apr 3, 2014 | 06:06 AM
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Originally Posted by rhonster
if you are smelling gas, that is real bad. You might want to see if your fuel filter is cracked or leaking. Sometimes the hose can tear or the plastic top type filters can break.
Brand new fuel filter
Old Apr 3, 2014 | 06:06 AM
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Originally Posted by njmaxseltd
What's the code it's throwing? Not all o2 codes point to the sensor itself, some point to engine operational issues. ie: system to lean, system to rich.
p0135
Old Apr 3, 2014 | 06:08 AM
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Not smelling any gas either light just randomly comes on every like month or so
Old Apr 3, 2014 | 06:11 AM
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Any way im guna change it this weekend bank 1 sensor 1 is that one a pain to get at? If its not where is it ? Im not looking for an all day project like the knock sensor and CPS wires
Old Apr 3, 2014 | 06:18 AM
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Originally Posted by Patm-a32
Brand new fuel filter
Good on new filter as long as no seepage around either of 4 connection points or tears in the line. No moisture top or under is great.

You could also verify the code by using the manual code check of the ECU (beside gas pedal). You need to turn the engine light on, car off, turn the (flat head) screw right hold left hold and right. should flash long and then short. If you dont have the code manual, post the flash here. i.e. 7 long 7 short = 0707 etc.To reset, repeat.
Old Apr 3, 2014 | 06:51 AM
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Originally Posted by rhonster
Good on new filter as long as no seepage around either of 4 connection points or tears in the line. No moisture top or under is great.

You could also verify the code by using the manual code check of the ECU (beside gas pedal). You need to turn the engine light on, car off, turn the (flat head) screw right hold left hold and right. should flash long and then short. If you dont have the code manual, post the flash here. i.e. 7 long 7 short = 0707 etc.To reset, repeat.
While im messing around changing bank 1 sensor 1 is it worth changing the other 3 ? Or ive heard the first 2 are the only ones that really matter is this true ? Dont know much about the o2 sensors
Old Apr 3, 2014 | 07:03 AM
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Replace only as needed front 2 very important for mixture, fuel useage. Post cat only tells u that cat is ok.
Old Apr 3, 2014 | 07:06 AM
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P0135 pertains to the heater circuit.
Check the fuses and connections to the sensor. Check for the correct voltage at the sensor plug. I suspect you may have some corrosion on a connection or break in a wire someplace along the line.
Old Apr 3, 2014 | 07:28 AM
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Originally Posted by njmaxseltd
P0135 pertains to the heater circuit.
Check the fuses and connections to the sensor. Check for the correct voltage at the sensor plug. I suspect you may have some corrosion on a connection or break in a wire someplace along the line.
Does a new sensor in tail new wires and connections?
Old Apr 3, 2014 | 09:08 AM
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A new O2 sensor will have wires on it, 3 total. 1 for the sensor, 1 for the heater and 1 for ground.

But will it have the plug? Depends on what you buy. You can buy a universal sensor that will not have the wire harness plug. Or you can buy a sensor that will have the plug. The universal sensor is cheaper but you will need to cut the connector off of the old sensor and splice the wires.

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/x,ca...,parttype,5132
Old Apr 3, 2014 | 10:13 AM
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I just did my front sensor, and it's not that bad. I got the OEM Denso from Rock Auto, and used a crow's-foot tool, 22mm, for the R&R. With that tool, I think you're looking at maybe an hour, if you're slow and decide to put the car on jackstands and remove the lower cover.

That crow's-foot 22mm sensor wrench is a Godsend.

I'd change it if I were you. The OEM Denso sensor Rock Auto sells is perfect.

The wrench I used:

Amazon.com: Powerbuilt 648691 Oxygen Sensor Offset Puller: Automotive Amazon.com: Powerbuilt 648691 Oxygen Sensor Offset Puller: Automotive

You can also just get that at a local store for about the same price.

Last edited by mikeyen; Apr 3, 2014 at 10:19 AM. Reason: Added info about the wrench
Old Apr 3, 2014 | 10:28 AM
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Originally Posted by Patm-a32
Does a new sensor in tail new wires and connections?
New sensors come with either a plug and play attachment same as the original, or a universal open wire which has to be wound color to color and hopefully soldered and heat shrinked. The latter is not worth the trouble. The front 2 sensors have 3 wires and the post cat has 4. Here is what a 3 wire looks like (eBay Listing) . Don't mess around with universals, get the adapter oem knock off. Usually around $20 shipped from Prime Choice Auto Parts. It is also wise to buy a 22mm o2 slitted socket to remove the old one, a ratchet socket specifically for removing and more importantly, installing sensors.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Oxygen-Sensor-O2-Upstream-213-1291-13242-ES10384-24525-for-Nissan-Maxima-/131154123227?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Model%3AMaxima%7CYear%3A1997&hash=item1e896519db&vxp=mtr

Last edited by rhonster; Apr 3, 2014 at 10:31 AM.
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